Rainbow Boa

Range:
Widespread throughout much of South America; Amazon Basin, especially coastal Brazil, Guiana, French Guyana, Suriname and southern Venezuela.

Habitat:
Humid woodland forest, rarely open savannas

Description:
The Rainbow Boa is a round-bodied terrestrial boa of medium build that is generally 4 to 6 feet. It is reddish brown in color with 3 parallel black stripes on top of the head and large black rings down the back.

Sexual Dimorphism:
Males have substantially larger spurs along the side of the vent and noticeably thicker bases of their tails. The females tend to be larger.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
They have a remarkable ability to change the color of their skin. They typically appear darkest during the day and much paler at night.

Diet in Zoo: Rodents
Diet in Wild: Rodents, birds, some forms of aquatic life and lizards

Gestation/incubation:
Gestation lasts about 5 months

Offspring:
Born in live litters of 2 to 35.

Method of Temperature Regulation:
Ectothermic

Activity Period:
Mostly nocturnal; may bask during the day.

Longevity:
May live up to 20 years in captivity.

Predators:
Wild cat species, birds of prey, humans.

Conservation Status:
No special status/Least Concern